Heat exchanger for pellet mill

Abstract

A heat exchanger for use in the production of pellets, such as in a feed pellet mill, where both steam and water are used in a conditioner to condition milled material before pelleting. The heat exchanger has a steam inlet for delivery of steam to the chamber from a steam supply and a steam outlet for delivery of steam to the conditioner. A portion of the chamber defines a collector for the collection of condensate and has a second outlet for the delivery of the condensate from the chamber back to the steam supply. A coil surrounds at least a portion of the chamber to provide heat exchange between the chamber and the coil so that water passing through the coil is heated by the heat exchange from said chamber for delivery to the conditioner.

I claim: 
     
       1. A heat exchanger for use in the production of pellets where both steam and water are used in a conditioner to condition milled material before pelleting, said heat exchanger comprising an elongated chamber for generally vertical orientation, said chamber having a steam inlet at the upper end thereof for the delivery of steam to said chamber from a steam supply and a steam outlet at right angles to said steam inlet for delivery of steam to said conditioner, a portion of said chamber beneath said steam outlet defining a trap for the collection of condensate, a second outlet beneath said steam outlet for the delivery of said condensate from said chamber to said steam supply, and a coil surrounding at least a portion of said chamber for heat exchange therebetween, whereby water passing through said coil is heated by the heat exchange from said chamber for delivery to said conditioner. 
     
     
       2. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said second outlet is at the bottom of said chamber. 
     
     
       3. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said coil is in direct contact with the wall of said chamber. 
     
     
       4. The heat exchanger of claim 1 further comprising adjustable securing means for securing said coil in engagement with the wall of said chamber. 
     
     
       5. The heat exchanger of claim 4 wherein said adjustable securing means includes a clamp located near an end of said coil to which said coil is attached. 
     
     
       6. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said chamber is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       7. The heat exchanger of claim 6 wherein the diameter of said chamber is substantially greater than the diameter of the chamber inlet. 
     
     
       8. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said coil is copper. 
     
     
       9. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said coil is in direct contact with the wall of said chamber. 
     
     
       10. The heat exchanger of claim 1 further comprising adjustable securing means for securing said coil in engagement with the wall of said chamber. 
     
     
       11. The heat exchanger of claim 10 wherein said adjustable securing means includes a clamp located near an end of said coil to which said coil is attached. 
     
     
       12. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said chamber is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       13. The heat exchanger of claim 12 wherein the diameter of said chamber is substantially greater than the diameter of the chamber inlet. 
     
     
       14. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein said coil is copper. 
     
     
       15. A heat exchanger for use in the production of pellets where both steam and water are used in a conditioner to condition milled material before pelleting, said heat exchanger comprising a chamber having a steam inlet for the delivery of steam to said chamber from a steam supply and a steam outlet for delivery of steam to said conditioner, a portion of said chamber defining a trap for the collection of condensate, a second outlet for the delivery of said condensate from said chamber to said steam supply, and a coil surrounding said chamber for heat exchange therebetween, said coil being in direct contact with the wall of said chamber and at least the majority of said coil surrounding said chamber beneath said steam outlet, whereby water passing through said coil is heated by the heat exchange from said chamber for delivery to said conditioner. 
     
     
       16. The heat exchanger of claim 15 wherein the entirity of said coil surrounds said chamber beneath said steam outlet. 
     
     
       17. A heat exchanger for use in the production of pellets where both steam and water are used in a conditioner to condition milled material before pelleting, said heat exchanger comprising an elongated cylindrical chamber for generally vertical orientation and having a steam inlet at the upper end thereof of substantially smaller diameter than that of said chamber for the delivery of steam to said chamber from a steam supply, and a steam outlet at right angles thereto in the side of said chamber for delivery of steam to said conditioner, a portion of said chamber beneath said outlet defining a collector for the collection of condensate, a second outlet beneath said steam outlet and near the bottom of said chamber for the delivery of said condensate from said chamber to said steam supply, and a coil, at least a portion of which surrounds said chamber beneath said steam outlet for heat exchange therebetween, said coil being in direct contact with the wall of said chamber, whereby water passing through said coil is heated by the heat exchange from said chamber for delivery to said conditioner. 
     
     
       18. The heat exchanger of claim 17 wherein said coil surrounds said chamber only beneath said steam outlet. 
     
     
       19. The heat exchanger of claim 17 further comprising adjustable securing means for securing said coil in engagement with the wall of said chamber. 
     
     
       20. The heat exchanger of claim 19 wherein said adjustable securing means are clamps located near the ends of said coil to which said coil is attached, said clamps having means for loosening same for rotational adjustment relative the longitudinal axis of said chamber and for tightening same in a selected rotational position, whereby relative rotational adjustment of said clamps tightens said coil into close contact with the wall of said chamber. 
     
     
       21. The heat exchanger of claim 20 wherein said coil surrounds said chamber only beneath said steam outlet.